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Kodak EasyShare M1033 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black) | List Price: $199.95
Discount Price: Too low to display
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Brand: Kodak
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2008-04-14
Features: - 10.0 MP means you can make stunning prints up to 30 × 40 in.
- 3X optical zoom (35 mm equivalent: 35¿105 mm) gets you closer to your subjects without reducing image quality
- Whether you shoot your pictures vertically or horizontally, view them right side up with auto picture rotation
- View your pictures in high definition on an HDTV or other HD devices
- Intelligent capture control¿automatically sets camera settings including exposure, focus and ISO for clear, sharp pictures even in low light and challeng situations
HD Video in Your Pocket == Awesome [Posted on 2008-09-15]
Here's my backstory: I bought a rather expensive Sony camcorder with photo capabilities thinking "this will help me chronicle my adventures while I'm in Europe." This turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made! Despite being such an expensive camcorder, the Hard Drive Disk Sony model took grainy footage and to put a sour cherry on top, the photos were terrible! I returned the piece of crap. Since the $443 camcorder had such crap quality, I thought about going all in. Let's get an HD camcorder, but we all know that requires a lot of money. Fortunately I found a much better alternative. Kodak M1033! I have reviewed footage from this Kodak camera and I it is 10x better than the Sony camcorder that I had. It features 720HD video capabilities and I must say this is an amazing deal. It totally beats an upscale Sony camcorder AND it takes great pictures. Definitely worth it if you're into making decent home movies. If you just want a solid digital camera, you can score with a canon powershot which sells at a price a little cheaper than this. HD video in your pocket can't be beat!
Clean Design, Lots of Value [Posted on 2008-09-24]
This was such a beautiful, clean design, that it immediately caught my eye among the other cameras. I'm tired of gadgets that try to look powerful by being hard to use. I want a camera that is--dare I say it--like my iPod.
Good: Ease of use, picture quality, video quality.
Bad: Battery life, occasional freezing (?!)
This camera really is easy to use, but it doesn't sacrifice features or power to do it (sure, it's no SLR). It's a great pocket camera.
I'm pleased with the picture quality. The automatic mode displays the icon of the most appropriate "specialty mode" as it takes the picture, perhaps educating you for future shots. Colors look good. Flash is good for a camera this size.
I'm pleased with the video quality. I saw the review where someone was complaining about video quality--I'd have to guess that he's shooting in low light. What can you expect with a lens the size of a dime? I'm using it as a stand-in to replace my failing Mini-DV camcorder. DV is better, sure, but even as picky as I am, I'm willing to use this for video in the meantime. It does stabilization in 480p (not in 720p). It also has standard and high quality video modes (not sure what other reviewers used). I recommend high quality 480p with stabilization.
The battery doesn't seem to last long. I rotate through my batteries pretty frequently (once a week with "moderate" use--what's moderate?). I couldn't make an entire day at a theme park visit on one battery. Have extras.
Mine has frozen up a couple of times. Talk about weird. I just popped out the battery and put it back. Nothing was lost. All was fine. Just weird.
I'm willing to change/charge the batteries more frequently for a CLEAN DESIGN and GREAT PICTURES. I wish more cameras were like this, but the M1033 seems to be a fluke -- even among Kodak products. I would buy this camera again. BTW, I bought the bronze one -- awesome color.
Great Little Camera! [Posted on 2008-09-28]
Very practical camera with it's small compact design that takes big pictures. Big viewing area. So far seems to work perfect. I love it. I had an older Easyshare, much more bulky and slower taking pictures and the viewing area was too small to really make out if picture was any good. Would definitely recommend this one.
COmplicated, but nice [Posted on 2008-10-03]
This is a really neat little camera, small and light with more than adequate features for someone who wants to do a bit more than point and shoot.It takes some time to learn, and can be a bit confusing. The booklet that comes with the camera is ok for the basics, but I recommend downloading the full manual from Kodak to fully utilize the camera's features.On the down side is the very short battery life, so I would recommend carrying a spare.
A so-so camera with SERIOUS WEAKNESSES [Posted on 2008-10-07]
I picked the M1033 up at a local Best Buy, intending to replace my decrepit 3.3Megapixel Olympus. I wanted a small form-factor camera with high resolution, and passable video I could use so my wife wouldn't have to lug around our video camera for occasional use.
At first, I was excited, but the glamor wore off quickly. I would not recommend the device without SIGNIFICANT CAVEATS. Read on...
* Form factor: the camera is friggin tiny. That's excellent -- what I was looking for.
* Still image quality: once you turn OFF the digital zoom, the image quality is as good as one would expect from a ten megapixel camera. However, if you zoom all the way in on the image (on your computer), you'll see compression artifacts because it exports JPEG files, rather than PNG or TIFF. This dims my otherwise stellar recommendation.
* Video quality is HORRIBLE, especially in low light. I was SHOCKED at how awful the video is. Why would I take 720p high-definition video if the image quality is noisy and grainy? IF VIDEO IS EVEN REMOTELY A PURCHASING CONCERN FOR YOU, YOU WILL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH THIS PRODUCT.
* Video format is Quicktime MOV. If you have a Mac, this is no big deal. For the rest of us, this is a pain. EDITING QUICKTIME MOVIES REQUIRES PURCHASING ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE.
* The unit's basic layout could stand significant improvement. For example, the position of the lens makes it a natural place to hold the camera, which is okay when it's turned off. However, once you hit the power button, it's very easy to brush the lens with your fingertips.
Further, the EasyShare connector (NOTE: proprietary USB plug) is located very close to the tripod shoe connector. This means that you have to choose between installing a quick-release shoe for your tripod and plugging it into USB. I can understand this (somewhat), as the camera just isn't very big and you have to put these things somewhere.
Still, together, this is very disappointing. I'm imagining that I'd have to clean the lens A LOT due to fingerprints.
* the buttons on the top row are easy to hit at the same time. This resets the camera to factory configuration. I discovered this six seconds after handing it to my wife. Fortunately, it's easy to reconfigure, but I don't intend to reset the clock on the thing every few weeks.
* volume control for the unit appears to be universal -- the sounds the camera makes are controlled by the same logic that limits sound of video playback. This control is buried in the setup system. So, when I turn the camera's insipid sound effects down to the minimum, I can't easily hear the video soundtrack even on maximum playback volume. Poor design choice.
* joystick-stud is difficult to use for some people. Like my wife, or me when I get excited. Pushing the button in (ENTER) often causes the stick to go in one direction or another. Imagine doing this on a very cold day.
* Digital zoom RUINS the image quality. Make SURE to turn it off or you'll be wondering why you bought a 10MP camera.
SUMMARY: This camera is for you if you can meet ALL of the following criteria:
1. you want very high-resolution images and small form-factor
2. you can tolerate extremely poor quality video (or don't need video at all)
3. you have a way to edit (or don't need to edit) the quicktime movies the camera produces in such low quality.
4. you seldom or never use a tripod
5. you have tiny, agile fingers and never take pictures in cold weather
6. you can remember to immediately turn off the digital zoom
...otherwise, seek a different product.
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